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Guide www.kstatecollegian.com | Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009
‘Hungry Hungry Wildcats’
K-State is one of the top teams in the conference in rebounding, but no single Wildcat leads the way — it’s been a team effort. Page 3
Men’s and Women’s Big 12 Update Page 2 | Column Page 4 Photo illustration by Matt Binter | Collegian
Kansas State CollegIAn
PAGE 2
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009
K-State men receiving votes while women drop to No. 18 Big 12 Men’s breakDOWN
Big 12 woMen’s breakDOWN
As Oklahoma continues to win games, they are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the Big 12 Conference. K-State has won three in a row and will look to carry that momentum over into tonight’s game against Iowa State.
The Big 12 is one of the toughest conferences in the country with half of the league ranked in the AP Top 25 poll and Oklahoma State is also receiving votes. K-State dropped in the polls after the loss to Iowa State.
Baylor (15-6, 3-4 Big 12)
Colorado (9-11, 1-5 Big 12)
AP rank: NR Up next: at Texas Tech Key player: Senior guard Curtis Jerrells. The Bears started conference play off strong but have lost their last three in a row. Jerrells is the leader of this team and must figure out how to get them back on track.
AP rank: NR Up next: Nebraska Key player: Sophomore guard Cory Higgins. Higgins is really the lone bright spot for the Buffaloes as he leads the team in points at 17.6 per game, and rebounds with 6.1 per game. He is second on the team in assists by averaging 2.7 a game.
Iowa State (12-9, 1-5 Big 12)
Kansas (17-4, 6-0 Big 12)
AP rank: NR Up next: at K-State Key player: Sophomore forward Craig Brackins. Brackins leads the Cyclones in scoring with 19.5 points per game and is second in scoring in the Big 12 behind OU’s Blake Griffin.
AP rank: 21 Up next: vs. Oklahoma State Key player: Junior guard Sherron Collins. Collins is the most experienced KU player and is third in the Big 12 in scoring with 18.3 points per game.
K-State (14-7, 3-4 Big 12)
Missouri (18-4, 5-2 Big 12)
AP rank: receiving votes Up next: vs. Iowa State Key player: Junior guard Denis Clemente. Clemente scored 44 points against Texas last Saturday.
AP rank: receving votes Up next: at Texas Key player: Senior forward DeMarre Carroll. The senior leads the Tigers in points at 16.8 per game and is the leading Tiger rebounder, averaging seven rebounds per game.
nebraska (13-7, 3-4 Big 12)
Oklahoma (21-1, 7-0 Big 12)
AP rank: NR Up next: at Colorado Key player: Senior guard Ade Dagunduro. Dagunduro leads the Cornhuskers in scoring with 11.8 points per game and in rebounding with 3.9 per game.
AP rank: 5 Up next: vs. Texas A&N Key player: Freshman guard Willie Warren. Warren is averaging 15.5 points a game and is becoming a Oklahoma’s second offensive option behind Blake Griffin.
Oklahoma state (13-7, 2-4 Big 12) AP rank: NR Up next: vs. Texas Tech Key player: Sophomore guard James Anderson. Anderson averages 17.3 points per game. The Cowboys have five total guards who average in double-digit points.
AP rank: 16 Up next: vs. Missouri Key player: Junior guard Damion James. James is averaging 15.7 points per game and is fifth in the Big 12 in rebounding with 8.6 per game.
texas tech (10-7, 0-2 Big 12)
AP rank: NR Up next: at Oklahoma Key player: Senior guard Josh Carter. Carter leads the Aggies’ balanced offense with 12.9 points per game. Texas A&M has four players averaging double digits in scoring.
AP rank: 8 Up next: at Nebraska Key player: Junior post Danielle Wilson. Despite the Bears’ two consecutive losses, Wilson has combined for 29 and is the leading scorer throughout the season with 15.1 points per game.
Iowa State (15-4, 3-2 Big 12) AP rank: 21 Up next: vs. Texas A&M Key player: Senior guard Heather Ezell. Ezell is leading the Cyclones in scoring, and will look to extended the Cyclones winning streak to four games against south power Texas A&M.
K-State (18-2, 5-2 Big 12) AP rank: 18 Up next: vs. Missouri Key player: Senior guard Shalee Lehning. Shalee will look to get the Wildcats back on track after suffering their second loss of the season at Iowa State Saturday. Lehning is averaging a NCAA leading 8.4 assists per game.
nebraska (10-10, 1-6 Big 12) AP rank: NR Up next: vs. Baylor Key player: Junior guard Yvonne Turner. The quick guard is averaging 12 points per game and is a presence on the perimeter for the Huskers.
Texas (15-5, 4-2 Big 12)
Texas A&M (17-5, 3-4 Big 12)
Baylor (17-3, 5-2 Big 12)
AP rank: NR Up next: at Oklahoma State Key player: Sophomore guard John Roberson. Roberson leads the Red Raiders in scoring with 14.6 points per game.
Oklahoma state (14-5, 3-3 Big 12) AP rank: receving votes Up next: vs. Texas Key player: Junior guard Andrea Riley. Riley is the centerpiece of the Cowgirl offense and is averaging 23.5 points per game. The Cowgirls have won two conference road games in a row.
Texas A&M (17-3, 5-2 Big 12) AP rank: 11 Up next: at Iowa State Key player: Senior guard Takia Starks. Starks is the centerpiece to the Aggies squad, and will look to lead the Aggie offense against a tough Iowa State team who is 11-0 at home this season.
—Compiled by Brad Dornes
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AP rank: NR Up next: at Kansas Key player: Sophomore forward Brittany Spears. The sophomore forward from Pasadena, Cal. ranks third in the Big 12 in scoring with 18.2 pints per game. The Buffaloes will need her offensive explosiveness on the road against Kansas this week.
Kansas (12-7, 1-5 Big 12) AP rank: NR Up next: vs. Colorado Key player: Junior guard Danielle McCray. The senior gurad is leading the Jayhawks in scoring and will look to get them back on track this week at home against Colorado. McCary is averaging 19.4 points per game.
Missouri (10-10, 1-6 Big 12) AP rank: NR Up next: at K-State Key player: Senior guard Alyssa Hollins. Hollins is averaging 13.3 points per game for the struggling Tigers. She will have to have a big performance against the prolific defense of K-State, which ranks top in the Big 12 Conference.
Oklahoma (18-2, 7-0* Big 12) AP rank: 2 Up next: Texas Tech Key player: Senior center Courtney Paris. Paris is a three-time consensus All American and has registered 112 consecutive double-doubles. *at press time
Texas (15-5, 3-3 Big 12) AP rank: 16 Up next: at Oklahoma State Key player: Sophomore guard Kathleen Nash. Nash is leading the Longhorn offense with 13.8 points per game and help lead Texas passed the No. 2 ranked Baylor Lady Bears on Sunday.
texas tech (12-8, 3-4* Big 12) AP rank: NR Up next: Texas Tech Key player: Senior forward Dominic Seals. The forward from Dallas is leading the Lady Red Raiders in scoring with 14 points per game. *at press time —Compiled by Britton Drown
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Colorado (10-9, 2-5 Big 12)
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009
Kansas State CollegIAn
PAGE 3
Wildcats step up rebounds after losing Beasley, Walker By Brad Dornes Kansas state collegian
Through the ups and downs of the season, rebounding has always been the one constant fundamental that the K-State men’s basketball team has maintained. This fundamental skill is the most basic element of the game. All a player must do is box out an opposing player and chase after a missed shot. On offense the Wildcats do not have an prolific scorer and likewise they do not have a dominating rebounder. Its a total team effort. Four players — Ron Anderson, Luis Colón, Darren Kent and Dominique Sutton — have grabbed doubledigit rebounds eight times this season. Anderson leads the team averaging 5.7 rebounds per game. “K-State is one the best rebounding teams in the country,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew said. Until recently K-State was the top rebounding team in the Big 12. Now K-State is second to KU in
Luis Colón attempts to grab a rebound against three Missouri defenders Wednesday night. The Wildcats look to extend their three-game winning streak tonight against Iowa State.
rebounding margin at a positive 6.5 rebounds per game. This means that the Wildcats average 6.5 more rebounds than their opponent. Through 21 games, K-State is averaging 39.4 rebounds, including a Big 12 best 16.2 offensive rebounds. The Wildcats have five players averaging for or more rebounds a game. K-State also ranks as the No. 23 rebounding team in the nation. As a team, K-State ranks among the best in the Big 12 in four categories, including first in offensive rebounds, second in rebounding margin and rebounding defense and is third in overall rebounding. All of this comes as a surprise to many basketball fans, since the Wildcats lost two of the best Big 12 rebounders in Michael Beasley and Bill Walker to the NBA. That duo helped K-State secure 41.3 rebounds a year ago. “We can’t rely on two guys like we did last year,” senior forward Darren Kent said. “This year it has to be a team effort.”
Lisle Alderton COLLEGIAN
Women’s Big 12 Conference Standings
Men’s Big 12 Conference Standings Conference Leaders Scoring
Rebounds
1. B. Griffin (OU)
PPG 22.4
1. B. Griffin (OU)
RPG 14.1
2. C. Brackins (ISU)
19.5
2. C. Aldrich (KU)
9.9
3. S. Collins (KU)
18.3
3. C. Brackins (ISU)
9.1
4. C. Higgins (CU)
17.5
4. O. Muonelo (OSU)
9.1
5. D. James (UT)
8.6
5. J. Anderson (OSU) 15.3
Assists
Field-goal shooting
APG 1. J. Roberson (TTU) 6.24
Percent 1. B. Griffin (OU) 63.6
2. B. Eaton (OSU)
5.80
2. C. Aldrich (KU)
62.8
3. C. Jerrells (CU)
5.48
3. C. DeMarre (MU)
57.9
4. D. Garrett (ISU)
5.33
4. R. Kevin (BU)
53.0
5. S. Collins (OU)
5.05
5. W. Warren (OU)
50.5
Conference Leaders
Big 12 Conference (as of Tuesday) Standings Conference W L Men’s Oklahoma Kansas Missouri Texas Texas A&M Baylor K-State Nebraska Oklahoma State Iowa State Texas Tech Colorado
Text CROSSING to 47464 for more information
Standard Rates Apply
7 6 5 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
0 0 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5
Scoring
Overall W L 21 17 18 15 17 15 14 13 13 12 11 9
1 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 7 9 10 11
Rebounds
1. A. Riley (OSU)
PPG 23.5
1. C. Paris (OU)
RPG 13.6
2. D. McCray (KU)
19.3
2. A. Paris (OU)
10.0
3. B. Spears (CU)
18.2
3. D. Wilson (BU)
9.1
4. T. Starks (KSU)
16.0
4. D. Seals (TTU)
8.0
5. A. Sweat (KSU)
15.8
5. D. McCray (TTU)
7.9
Assists
Field-goal shooting
1. A. Riley (OSU)
APG 22.7
1. C. Paris (OU)
Percent 61.7
2. D. McCray (KU)
17.9
2. A. Paris (OU)
56.3
3. B. Spears (CU)
17.5
3. M. Gipson (KSU)
53.0
4. A. Sweat (KSU)
15.5
4. A. Sweat (KSU)
52.3
5. C. Paris (OU)
15.4
5. D. McCray (KU)
50.7
Big 12 Conference (as of Tuesday) Standings Conference W L Women’s Oklahoma K-State Baylor Texas A&M Iowa State Texas Oklahoma State Texas Tech Colorado Kansas Missouri Nebraska
7 5 5 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
0 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6
Overall W L 18 18 17 17 16 15 14 12 10 12 10 10
2 2 3 3 4 5 5 8 9 7 10 10
Kansas State CollegIAn
PAGE 4
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009
Columnist honors men’s team with midseason awards Steve berklund The Kansas State men’s basketball team is 3-4 in the Big 12 Conference after three consecutive victories in eight days. The Wildcats (14-7) will be host to Iowa State tonight to finish the first half of conference play. With conference play almost to the midway point, it’s time to hand out the Berkies. What are the Berkies you ask? Well, the Berkies are the most sought after acknowledgement in all of sports. I mean, who really cares about the Heisman trophy? The Wooden Award? The Espys? Don’t get me wrong they’re all decent awards, but I would rather have a Steve Berklund Berkie award. So what are the qualifications for a Berkie award? If you’re not a K-State Wildcat men’s basketball player,
you cannot win a Berkie. That’s why it’s so prestigious. The awards go like this: we on the panel — me — decide who gets awards, like defensive player of the year, rebounder of the year, 3-point shooter of the year, newcomer of the year, best bench player or sixth man, best leader, head coach of the year, offensive player of the year, coolest name, hardest name to pronounce, best tattoos, coolest relative, surprise player of the year, best Puerto Rican player, best Kansas player, and finally, overall player of the year. To start off the awards we’re — I’m — going to give best defender of the year to Chris Merriewether for his effort and determination and ability to throw elbows like nobody’s business. Rebounder of the year goes to Ron Anderson after his ninerebound performance against Texas. The best 3-point shooter has to go to Fred Brown; I mean, he can make it rain from deep. Newcomer of the year definitely goes to Denis Clemente, who tied a Big 12 record (with Michael Beasley) with 44 points against the Longhorns. Best bench player or sixthman goes to Jamar Samuels for
the energy and explosiveness he brings to the court. Best leader on this team could go to senior Darren Kent, but the way sophomore Jacob Pullen has put this team on his shoulders and taken responsibility has earned him a Berkie for best leader. Head coach of the year is a no-brainer; it goes to Frank Martin for what he has done in such a short time at K-State. Offensive player of the year goes to Denis Clemente, this 6-foot guard can do it all, like pour it on against Texas. Coolest name definitely goes to Buchi Awaji hands down. Hardest name to pronounce is Victor Ojeleye. How do you say that again? Best tattoos goes to Denis Clemente. Have you seen his sleeve of ink? It’s down right intimidating. Best relative goes to Darren Kent, of course I’m talking about his uncle Clark. Surprise player of the year goes to Luis Colon. Colon’s post play has improved tremendously. Best Puerto Rican player was a tough one, but I go with Luis Colon, because well, Clemente is dominating these awards. Best Kansas player goes to Justin Werner because he can
Joslyn Brown | Collegian
Denis Clemente drives past a Missouri defender in a game earlier this year. He leads the team in scoring and scored 44 points Saturday night against Texas. shoot lights out from long-range —in practice anyway. Best overall player should go to the best all-around player, and that is Dominique Sutton, because he can shut down anyone on the defensive end and can score when he wants to — and he just needs a Berkie.
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Well, there you have it folks, the first-ever Berkies are in the books.
Steve Berklund is a junior in prejournalism. Please send comments to sports@spub.ksu.edu.
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